Application note demonstrates that it is the time a compound spends at a temperature that is responsible for any breakdown, rather than the effects of the temperature alone
Temperature programmed liquid chromatography (TPLC) specialist Selerity Technologies has demonstrated that its Polaratherm - a high temperature liquid chromatograph - together with its patented preheater can successfully separate compounds that are recognised to thermally decompose at high temperatures.
Elevated temperatures can therefore be used as a separations parameter in HPLC without the fear of degradation or thermal decomposition.
In a new technical note, Selerity has shown that the Polaratherm can heat dicumyl peroxide (DCP) to elevated temperatures without it experiencing degradation.
Factors other than temperature can also have a significant effect on thermal decomposition, specifically time.
Selerity's application note demonstrates that it is the time a compound spends at a temperature that is responsible for any breakdown, rather than the effects of the temperature alone.
At 4.0ml/min, only 55% of the DCP had decomposed at 170C, compared to 94% at 1.0/ml/min, showing that the degree of decomposition decreased as the flow rate increased.
Therefore, Selerity says it has demonstrated that exposure of analytes to higher temperatures, for a short time, produces a minimal risk of decomposition.
This study concludes that decomposition of analytes is directly related to the resonance time in the column. No significant decomposition of the DCP was observed until 150C and elution of the acetophenone peak showed that the analyte did not completely decompose until 170C.
Since exposure to high temperatures had no major effect on this compound, other analytes are also likely to show similar durability under these conditions.
The Polaratherm is a total temperature controller comprising of a standalone column compartment.
The Polaratherm is compatible and can be seamlessly integrated with any existing high performance liquid chromatograph.
It is particularly suited for the chromatographer eager to economically maximise productivity by improving work results, enabling faster run times, and increasing efficiency.
